To us, this looks like helping provide food, clothing, hygiene, and household necessities and to do it in a way that allows customers, staff, volunteers, and donors to maintain a strong sense of dignity and respect for one another (Please see our Statement of Inclusivity).
The existence of our organization is intertwined with many other partner organizations in the community. These partnerships allow us to create a special space that is full of caring, nurturing people who are working towards meeting the needs of others.
In our seemingly affluent community, the need is well hidden, creating a misconception that it doesn't exist. The high cost of living actually causes the need to expand into middle and low-income households where tight budgets can mean having to choose between basic needs like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation.
We choose to look at this as an opportunity and invite you to join us in doing something amazing together to help reduce food insecurity and decrease homelessness by resourcing basic needs.
Not sure what to do? No problem.
You could donate financially, give in-kind items of food, hold a food drive, or volunteer. You could help advocate by sharing our e-mails and social media posts and you could get your workplace involved as an event sponsor. If giving the gift of money is what works best for you, we would appreciate your tax deductible donation here.
The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank is committed to ending hunger in our community. We cannot do it alone. We are counting on every person in the community to make that commitment with us. It will look different for everyone. It could mean coming into our building and asking for help to feed your family. It could mean signing up to volunteer. It could mean donating food. It could also mean writing a check. Whatever ending hunger looks like to you - join us!
Even your smallest gift makes a big difference, whether its time, money, or word-of-mouth.
If enough people do something - anything - big or small, our neighbors won’t go to bed hungry.
There are families in Issaquah that are struggling to put food on their tables. We serve the following zip codes in our Food Bank: 98027, 98029, 98075 and 98059.
Perishables from grocery outlets are a big part of what we do. We are doing our best to keep useful food from being wasted, and people from going hungry. Even when the food is free, it still costs energy, fuel, hours to collect, prepare and distribute the food.
Our customers need the same items that you need at home, including clothing and shoes for their family. While our onsite clothing bank remains closed due to COVID-19, we have seasonal clothing events at partner locations in the community on a quarterly basis. We serve the follow zip codes in our Clothing Bank: 98014, 98024, 98025, 98027, 98029, 98038, 98045, 98050, 98055-59, 98065, 98074, and 98075.
Our Clothing Bank is currently closed due to COVID-19. Diapers are still available during our food service hours.
Food and clothing are just part of the picture.
Most people in crisis don’t know where to turn, so they often turn to a food bank first. Going hungry is usually a short term symptom of something bigger, such as losing a job, domestic abuse, dependency, medical concerns or other issues.
Part of our job is to refer our clients to a network of agencies and organizations. We make thousands of referrals a year. From food stamps to school lunches, educational opportunities to shelters, we help our clients reach the long-term solutions they need.
A temporary crisis can throw a family into a tailspin. Whether impacted by a lost job, an episode of domestic violence, an accident or a sudden illness, it can be difficult to get back on your feet without a little extra support.
We can provide short-term help, often as utility or rent assistance via Issaquah Community Services.
Groceries to Go - Provides weekly grocery deliveries to eligible clients who cannot get to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank during regular service hours.
Tools4Schools - We send 1,000 local kids to school each year with a new backpack and essential supplies, in partnership with the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
Holiday Gift Barn - We work with donors to fill up the Pickering Barn with brand new toys, games, clothing and stocking stuffers so that parents can choose great holiday gifts for their children.
Summer Lunch Program - Provides a week worth of breakfast, lunch and snack foods for school-age kids in our Food Bank service area to take the pressure off parents during the Summer Break when kids aren't receiving free/reduced school lunch.
Lunch for the Break - Provides a box of food to help parents bridge the gap during long school breaks when children aren't receiving free/reduced school lunch.
Dental Van - Eastridge Church and Sammamish Rotary partner to bring an adult dental van to Eastridge Church every quarter. Our case management team schedules the dental appointments for the van.